DOG EAT DOG

Ars Nova, June 2013

HERE Art Center, August 2013

DESIGNS BY: Chris Barlow & Ryan Seelig

We made a play about being fat. I could summarize it here, but I'm too hungry and I need to go get a snack.

ANNA

You know, it actually really bothers me that your weight is a thing for you. Like, you’re just this amazing, strong person. And it’s made you that person. And, I think anything that makes you the type of person you are, which is a person who is loving, and smart, and funny, and creative, and generous with lots of friends, is something that’s good. I mean, it makes me a little angry, to be honest. That you don’t see that.

ADAM

That’s true.

NATE

Good point.

ANNA

And, it’s a reflection on my taste. Like, if I like you and think you are amazing, but you don’t like you—and you think you’re, like—

ADAM

Fat and disgusting…

ANNA

That wasn’t what I was going to say—

ADAM

Oh, no, right—

ANNA

I was going to say, if you think you’re, somehow slightly, um, physically flawed and that somehow makes you a monster or gross or something, then you’re saying I like monsterously flawed gross things, which I do not. And which reflects poorly on ME and my tastes. So, your lack of self esteem is actually sort of a personal attack on me, in a way. And, honestly, Amir. I’m not ok with that.

NATE

Neither am I.

ADAM

Right.

AMIR

Well--

ANNA

And. I’m a woman. So I’m already fighting an uphill battle. Do you know how hard it is--

NATE

I’m gay—

ANNA

That’s different.

NATE

Sure.

ANNA

As a woman, you’re automatically considered less than.

AMIR

Hm.

ANNA

You’re automatically seen as weak. As inferior.

AMIR

But—

ADAM

I think what Anna is trying to say is—(he looks at Adam)

NATE

We all have our “thing”, ya know?

ADAM

Yeah, and like…normally, I’m really unattracted to red heads, especially if they have freckles, but I think Anna’s really pretty. Because I know her. And she’s outside of that standard, you know?